FRAME HAS A CRACK...advice wanted

[hayseed]

IMHO,,, if you have the frame fixed the way it should be done as described above,, the cost will be more than half the cost of a new frame and you will never have to worry... I would spend the extra on a new frame

 

[bearman]

... I would spend the extra on a new frame

Who says that a new frame will not crack in the same place? We would all like to think it wouldn't, but you can't be certain.

The main thing to consider on this frame repair is what the parent metal is that the frame is made of. It may be chrome-moly or it might be just what is called mild steel. You could contact Daytec again to be sure. The welder will need to know what kind of filler rod to use and the material will determine if he needs to pre-heat or post-heat treat the weld.

I can’t see the pics from here at work but if the crack was at a weld, then it was probably caused by that weld not being done correctly in the first place and creating a weak point. It may have been undercut or not enough penetration. It may have been internal rust.

The way that Kapt. Describes is a foolproof way to repair any frame damage. But a good pipe welder can weld two hollow pipes together without anything on the inside and make the weld stronger than the surrounding pipe, they can even get a “bead” on the inside so that the outside can be ground flush, and still be stronger than the pipe. And you don’t need high frequency, all you need is a DC (direct current) machine. I’ve seen it done with an inverter welding machine (Miller Maxstar 150)) that was about as big as a lunchbox and plugs into a 110 outlet, and a gas bottle.

 

[zenBD]

What is the plan for the powder coat if you're not going to tear down the bike?

 

[Knuckles]

IMHO,,, if you have the frame fixed the way it should be done as described above,, the cost will be more than half the cost of a new frame and you will never have to worry... I would spend the extra on a new frame

The initial estimate to cut the frame, slug it, split the cutout and weld it all up, was $200. Shop has the bike since late yesterday and hoping to work on it Wednesday. New frame was approx. $1,400.

 

[Knuckles]

What is the plan for the powder coat if you're not going to tear down the bike?

Black paint. once the belt, pulley cover, and pipes are on, you can not even see that location.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Fingers Crossed for ya

 

[zenBD]

Black paint. once the belt, pulley cover, and pipes are on, you can not even see that location.

Cool... Should look fine. Best of luck... Keep us updated of course

 

[bearman]

.......I can’t see the pics from here at work but if the crack was at a weld, then it was probably caused by that weld not being done correctly in the first place and creating a weak point. It may have been undercut or not enough penetration. It may have been internal rust.....

I finally got around to looking at this at home. I am not a certified welding inspector, but I would bet big money that that crack was caused by a bad weld. I am sure of it. The crack goes right down between two weld beads.

But I am sure your welder already pointed this out after he saw it.

So any updates?

 

[pknowles]

looks like not enough filler material. I hope that was the problem rather than the tube failing.

 

[zenBD]

Did this get resolved? Curious how the weld came out

 

[Knuckles]

yes

 

[Knuckles]

yes all welded up and painted
bike still not back together( trans and starter rebuild)
my dad had some health issues and no time to get it back together
haven't ridden since early September... driving be crazy
I'll post pics one day off the weld

 

[zenBD]

yes all welded up and painted
bike still not back together( trans and starter rebuild)
my dad had some health issues and no time to get it back together
haven't ridden since early September... driving be crazy
I'll post pics one day off the weld

Glad to hear it worked out!